While many of us may have considered therapy at some point in our lives, often the question arises, "How much does therapy cost?" Therapy is not always cheap, but what people don't often realize is that mental health services are health care.
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and in many ways, the two are related. Mental illness can lead to physical illness if not addressed.
Like everything in life, the cost of therapy is an investment.
In this article, we'll take a look at the average cost of therapy in Austin, as well as how much therapy costs without insurance and how different practices charge.
On this page:
The Cost of Therapy in the U.S. and in Texas
Why the Cost of Mental Health Treatment is Worth It
Therapists in Austin: Williamsburg Therapy Group
Key Takeaways:
The cost of therapy can vary depending on a number of factors, including whether you are working with private pay therapists, whether you are getting in-person treatment vs. telehealth, your health coverage options, and whether you qualify for sliding-scale therapy programs.
The average cost of therapy sessions in the United States when factoring in all of the variants is around $100 to $200 per session, according to a 2019 report. When looking at Texas in particular, the range is from $50 to $200 per hour. Some higher-end practices are priced in the $250 to $300 range.
The above range of prices for therapy sessions is without coverage from health insurance companies. Many insurance plans don't cover mental health care in a significant way. Mental health services are often pay as you go, or conducted on a sliding scale fee schedule for those who qualify.
Despite strides offered by the Affordable Care Act and other reforms for mental health coverage, often the best therapist for certain individuals may not be in-network for many, or even covered at all. Insurance coverage can be helpful for some, but in many cases, the individual may have to make the decision to financially prioritize mental health services to get the help they need.
Therapy can honestly offer significant benefits for anyone. Obviously, people who are experiencing mental health concerns should be receiving mental health care for their symptoms, especially in severe cases.
However, therapy can also be an excellent way to learn to manage stress in your life, which most of us could use. A therapist can also facilitate personal growth and guide you on the road to self-actualization.
In certain cases, more than just the cost should be considered. For those with mental health concerns, it can be necessary to get help, no matter how much therapy costs. If the individual doesn't have insurance or if the right therapist doesn't accept insurance plans, they can ask if the therapist will work with sliding scale fees.
For those on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale who require talk therapy, there are some ways to get free therapy, which we will look at in the next section.
No matter the cost, the important thing is to get the therapy you need. There are a number of reasons why the care of a qualified mental health professional is worthwhile. Here are just a few potential benefits one might get from therapy:
You may find that some offices offer teletherapy as an option. In some (but not all) cases, this may cost less than traditional, in person therapy sessions. Therapy services from a therapist who works out of their home rather than an office may offer a discount because they don't have to pay the overhead costs of maintaining an office building.
Whether they do or not, telehealth can be an excellent way to work with a therapist from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
If you’re wondering how much therapy costs, it may be time to find out for yourself.
Therapy costs can be less prohibitive than you think, and in some cases, you may find that even the more expensive option is worthwhile for you.
Whether you need mental healthcare as fast as possible, or you just want to learn ways to manage stress at work, Williamsburg Therapy Group is here to help.
Located on South Lamar, our Austin therapy space is designed with your safety and comfort in mind.
Give us a call, and our patient coordinator will help you find the right therapist for you. Feeling better may be closer than you think.